Hon. Editor IVAN STEPHENSON 23 HIGHCLIFFE ROAD MORLEY · LEEDS LS27 9LX 1:' Copyright THE NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY SOCIETY ····-----_Number_Seventy __ ··--·---------------···········------------------------------------April_ 1971_'" '"._ FROM YOUR EDITOit. The recent protracted postal strike not only delayed the delivery of our last issue, but prevented much material for this issue from reaching the editorial desk. By making use of British Rail's J.etter service, a parcel of Industrial and other i terns was sent "to be called for" to Leeds and was collected after prior notifi-• cation by 'phone. Had it not been for this inspired idea of Andrew, Pete & Rich, NGN,70 would have been a most unbalanced issue, being produced mainly from items "in stock". PRESS DATE for NGN.'71 is lst MAY. -X·***·X ******************.******** F O R T H C O M I N G EVENTS.-- YORKSHIRE ARE.A. Sec:- Ron Redman1 14a Oliver Hill, Ho:csforth, Leeds. RAILS IN YORKSHIB.E' S NORTHEiil"'f DALES (The Tees Valley Water-Board). A talk illustrated on the Epidiascope by Harold D. Bowtell. FRIDAY, MAY 7TH MORE· OF THE WORLD OF NARROW GAUGE A cine film show of the work and travels of Geoffrey Torld-, If you saw the last one on five continents you will know this is not one to miss out nn ! Both will be held at Gotts Park School, Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds 12 (No.40 Bus from Corn Exchange or City Square) and will cormnence at 7-45 p.m. ******************************** S O C I E T Y T I D I N G S YORKSHIRE P~11EA A.G.M. 8/1/71 Some 18 members were present ·and approved the report on another successful year, the area accounts showing that we are still more than paying our way. A lively discussion followed during "Visits" and "Any Other Business" and it was decided to arrange another coach trip for 1971, this time to the Snowdon Area of North Wales. It is hoped a small party will attend the Society A.G.M. and visit in London on 15th May, 'rhe business meeting was followed by a cine show presented by Henry Holdsworth, the high spot of which was a short film of the Lynton §;_ Barnstaple Railway in action, kindly brought along to the meeting by th2,t well known tramway enthusiast Mr. Keith Terry. This film is a copy of a rare and now unfortunately lost Southern Railway publicity film - it even shows the Baldwin LYN in service, and needless to say one passage through the projector was not enough and two further "squirtings" were necessary before all preser.t were satisfied ! _______ Number_Seventy --------------------------2_- April_l971 _ YORKSHIRE (continued) Henry screened films on the Reseau Breton, Bicton Woodlru1d and the Romney Hythe, and these were much enjoyed by all. (Ron Redman) On 5th February our meeting was treated to the sights "Narrow Gauge in Australia" by Mr. F', Andrews of Leeds. Fred, who is Publicity Editor of "Modern Tramways" lived for many years in Brisbane and his fine slides were mostly devoted to the f.ilueensland Government Railway and the fabulous sugar cane tramways of the state, he showed us many fine shots of Fowlers, Hudswells and of theall invading Clyde diesels at work in the cane fields. After viewing most of the QGR fleet of locomotives we paid brief visits to the other narrow gauge own.ing states, winding up with Tasmanian Govt. Railway. The show was much enjoyed by the 20 members present and was enlivened by the "local colour" Fred was able to relate having seen things first hand. (Editor) '~**********·X·******-************* LAPEL BADGES. Have you got a Society Lapel Badge? If not, there are still a few available from Membership Secretary. R. Martin, 27 Oakenbank Crescent, Huddersfield HD5 8LQ. Whilst the stocks last the price will remain at 20p. (4/-) post paid U.K. BOOKS. THE IRISH RAILFANS NEWS. 25 pages. 8 x 6!, duplicated, available for 40p. subscription from 139 Fortfield Road, Dublin 6, Eire. We have been favoured with a copy of the November 1970 issue of IRN for review and can commend it to all interested in Irish railways, whatever their gauge, the issue received has articles on historical and up to the minute matters, even a story nn an industrial line ! Well worth the modest sub! (Editor) INDUSTRIAL STEAM ALBUI!f. by M.J. Fox & G.D. King, published by Ian Allen at £2.50 9! x 7 ins, 144pp. Itiis a refreshing change to find a book which demonstrates that there is a lot more to industrial railways than just locomotives. The standard, hackneyed industrial loco side view is notably absent and we find industrial steam set in its extremely varied natural scene, with such evocative sights as a row of snow covered locos in a roofless shed. The book covers the last ten years and pract• ically every "industrial" area, with a section on narrow gauge systems. The photographs are imaginative and their reproduction excellent, yes a highly recommended book. (JTP). NARROW GAUGE RAILWAYS OF IRELAND. by H. Fayle. S.R. Publishers Ltd., price £2.50. C,.riginally published in 1946, 11Fayle11 has always been regarded as a classic:, in its field and its reappearance is most welcome. An original copy has been photo-reproduced and whilst the process is most satisfactory for the text and line diagrwns, the photos inevitably lose some quality during the copying. Since the original publication several detailed history books have appeared on a number of the railways dealt with but 'Fayle' shows very few discrepancies with later works and has stood the test of more recent research very well, in fact there is still no other comprehensive book on the subject. ______ Number_Seventy -_3_- April_1971. _ NARROW GAUGE RAILWAYS OF IRELAND (continued) The price seems rather high for a reproduction"jobout the publishers are to be congratulated for making this book available to the present generation of enthusiasts. (AJW) MODEL RAILWAY ENGINES by J.E. Minns Card covers 8" x 8}" 120 pages 24 colour photos; published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson. Available from Jonathan Minns, lA Hollywood Rd, S.W.10. Price 30s Post ls. This is a comprehensive history of model locomotives from the early inventors development models to the present day, The author has himself said to the reviewer that to attempt such a history restricted to only 20,000 words is farcical, but this is nevertheless a brave effort ! Apart from a few exceptions all locos described are of the larger scales ranging in gauge from 3i11 to 15", The largest loco included is the 21611 gauge PIONEER sent to China in 1874, There is also an 18-i" gauge 2-2-2 not previously included in the N.G.R.S. records ! Roger Marsh's 5" gauge model of our own JACK is treated to a full page colour photo which is unfortunately captioned as being of 7±" gauge but is correctly described in thetext. Those whose interests are conftned, as per the Society's Records Dept, to locos of f}f," and above should not be put off by the title of the book as there are very many locos described and illustrated, in either monochrome or colour, which should be of interest to them. (P.D.N.) PRESERVED LOCOMOTIVES CHECKLIST:- by R.N. Pritchard. Published by Worcester Locomotive Society. lst Edition - September 1970 36pp, 7! x 5!, 30p (6/-d). 'I'h.i s is a handy little booklet by one of our members which provides a quick refer• ence to all known preserved locos iri the J3ri tish Isles. Unlike similar publications it tabulates the locos only in builders order and whilst this does highlight the actual quantity and type of the respectiye llmakes" it suffers from the use of 1L0-necessary abbreviations. 'j:he loco details are of a high standard of accuracy, though some items have been ommitted by the author as being "not true preservation". The lists are in various catagories:- "Mainline Steam - ex BR", "Industrial dieselsfi etc., we would query the placing of the FR. TR steamers in "Indue+r.i a.I Steam'' though l Five pages are devoted to a very abbreviated list of locations numbered 1-212. A supplement is due in May giving alterations, movements etc, price 5P and due acknowledgement is given to the NGRS for the use of the Records Dept. Copies can be obtained from~ Hon Publications Officer and the WLS have been most generous in allowing the NGRS a discount on copies sold. (R.P.M.) A N O T E FROM THE H. R. 0. Through the courtesy of Motor Rail Ltd., arrangements have been made to acquire various Motor Rail worksplates for NGRS members, these are ip mint condition and include:- ' 1. Unumbered Worksplates - old design in brass with Swedish No. £1 each* 2. Unumbered Plates - new d~sign in aluminium alloy with M.I. r.iotif (M for Motorail and I as end on.view of FJ3 rail) 35p each. 3, Unumbered encircled motif MI, brass £2.50 each* 4. Unumbered, oval "Simplex" motif, brass £2 each* 5. · "Diesel locomotive hirers" plates 75p each* All prices quoted by Motor Rail Ltd, are approximate and 25p per item will be required for postage and packing etc. Refunds will be returned with goods as o:.:,:,plicable. Strictly first come first served. -·-----Number_ Seventy - _ 4 _ - ----------------------------April_ 1971 . (continued) • All orders to the HRO. Rich Morris, 193 Main Road, Longfield, Dartford, Kent and please NOT to Motor Rail Ltd, (* denotes discontinued - very limited number available) •• ****•*******"**-:'"*******-:"********* T H E O L D COMPANIES.